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Demographic and Economic Trends in Alvernon Heights: A Study of Hispanic Population Growth and Income Changes
CATEGORY
Demographics
DATA
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
Loading Content...
Demographics
Population
Median Income
Racial Distributions
Alvernon Heights, a neighborhood in Tucson, Arizona, exhibits characteristics of a Majority-Minority community with a Hispanic Majority as of 2022. The neighborhood has a population of 860 and a median income of $37,691. Alvernon Heights has experienced significant demographic and economic shifts over the past decade.
In 2013, Alvernon Heights was categorized as a Majority-Minority community with a Hispanic Plurality (49% Hispanic). By 2022, the neighborhood transitioned to a Hispanic Majority community, with the Hispanic population reaching 63%. This shift indicates a Transitional Community status. The White population decreased from 30% in 2013 to 20% in 2022. Other racial groups showed fluctuations, including changes in the Native American and Asian populations.
The median income in Alvernon Heights has shown volatility over the past decade. From 2013 to 2015, there was a decline from $21,462 to $14,935. Subsequently, the neighborhood experienced economic recovery. The median income increased from its lowest point in 2015 to reach $48,093 in 2021, before decreasing to $37,691 in 2022.
The economic trajectory correlates with the demographic shifts. As the Hispanic population increased and solidified its majority status, the neighborhood's economic fortunes improved. This trend suggests a complex interplay between demographic change and economic development.
The demographic shifts in Alvernon Heights mirror broader trends seen in urban areas across the Southwest United States, where Hispanic populations have been growing rapidly. The economic recovery in this neighborhood appears more pronounced than in many similar communities, particularly given the increase in median income from 2015 to 2021.
The transition to a Hispanic Majority community, coupled with economic growth, suggests that Alvernon Heights may be experiencing a form of ethnic succession accompanied by economic revitalization. This pattern differs from some historical examples where demographic shifts were associated with economic decline.
Despite the income growth, the 2022 median income of $37,691 falls below the national median household income. This indicates that while Alvernon Heights has made economic strides, it still faces challenges in achieving parity with national economic standards.
Alvernon Heights presents a case study of a neighborhood undergoing demographic and economic transformation. Its evolution from a Majority-Minority community with a Hispanic Plurality to a Hispanic Majority area, coupled with income growth, offers insights into the dynamics of urban change in the 21st century American Southwest.
